Imerys Pigments, Inc.

Imerys Minerals Limited

Incoa Partners, LLC

Allison Anne Calhoun

Dickey S Shurling

Gary R Mobley

Charity W Miller

Anthony D McConnell

Deeba Marjan Ansari

David A Skelhorn

Anthony D Mcdonnell

The present invention is a method of producing a breathable film including producing an inorganic filler by treating particles of an inorganic particulate material comprising an alkaline earth metal carbonate compound by reaction with a hydrophobizing surface treatment agent comprising one or more aliphatic carboxylic acids having at least 10 chain carbon atoms to produce a hydrophobic coating on the particles including a classification step to result in an inorganic filler having a reduced level of interfering particles. The invention is also breathable polymeric films made using the novel filler.

Particulate carbonates and their preparation and use in breathable film

A method of producing a breathable film which comprises the steps of: (a) producing an inorganic filler by treating particles of an inorganic particulate material comprising an alkaline earth metal carbonate compound by reaction with a hydrophobising surface treatment agent comprising one or more aliphatic carboxylic acids having at least 10 chain carbon atoms to produce a hydrophobic coating on the particles under conditions such that the inorganic filler produced has a total surface moisture level comprising moisture adsorbed on the particles and trapped within the hydrophobic coating thereon of not greater than 0.1% by weight based on the dry weight of the inorganic particulate material; (b) producing a filled thermoplastic composition by mixing the inorganic filler produced in step (a) with a heated thermoplastic polymer; and (c) shaping the composition produced in step (b) by heat processing to form a film product.

Particulate carbonates and their preparation and use in thermoplastic film compositions

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Sandersville, GA, United States of America

Allison Anne Calhoun